“I’m fine,” I say, nodding like a bobblehead. “I’m alive. That’s what’s important. Now, we’ve gotta get the others out of their cages, okay?”
“Here’re the keys,” Rowan grunts, pushing himself up into a sitting position, wincing and holding out a set of keys. “I think you’re gonna have to help, I don’t know if I can stand.”
“Don’t stand,” I say, my gaze staying locked on his face. I can’t look at his bloody jeans without wanting to sob. “I can do it.”
“No,” Rage growls, his massive arms banding tighter around me.
“Well then are you gonna let me go and do it yourself, big guy?” I murmur softly, my gaze darting between his eyes. One bright. One milky.
He shakes his head a single time.
“Well, then how about you carry me?”
Rage gives me a singular nod, shuffling forward so I can grab the keys from Rowan’s extended hand. They’re a little bloody, but I choose to ignore that.
“Enough talking, more getting us out of here!” Ash snaps. “That alarm means the cops are coming, right?”
I pale at the thought.
Oh no. what does that mean for us?
“Mirabelle, sweetheart, you’ve gotta focus,” Griffin says, his voice steady, if a bit hoarse from the shock collar earlier. “We need you to stay strong for a little longer. Just focus on getting us out of here, okay?”
I give him a jerky nod, clinging to the thread of reassurance he’s sending me through the bond.
Good. I can still feel him.
That means our bond isn’t broken.
Thank goodness.
With shaky hands, I slide the key into the lock.
Griffin shoves the door open, leaning down and brushing a kiss on my forehead.
He lingers there, breathing me in for a split second before taking the keys to Ash’s cage.
“You’re not gonna kill the kid, are you?” Griffin huffs, crossing his arms over his chest as he stares down the other alpha.
Ash’s jaw clenches.
“Jury’s still out,” he snaps.
“Leave me—“ The two words barely leave Rowan’s lips before Griffin and I are yelling at him.
“No!” I cry out.
“Fuck no,” Griffin snaps.
“Don’t hurt Rowan!” I plead, turning back to Ash. “We have to focus on getting out of here. All five of us. Please, Ash!”
Something about my tone of voice makes Rage’s chest vibrate with a growl.
“Fine,” Ash snaps, rolling his eyes. “I’m not getting stuck playing babysitter, but I won’t kill him. You fuckers don’t need to gang up on me.”
“Great. Glad we’ve found some common ground,” Griffin nods before unlocking Ash’s cage.
Ash is in front of me a split second later, his gaze locked on where my bloody hand still clings to my shoulder.
